Chapter 39

  Knowest thou the time when the wild goats of the rock bring forth? [Or] canst thou mark when the hinds do calve?  

-

  Canst thou number the months that they fulfil? Or knowest thou the time when they bring forth?  

-

  They bow themselves, they bring forth their young, They cast out their pains.  

-

  Their young ones become strong, they grow up in the open field; They go forth, and return not again.  

-

  Who hath sent out the wild ass free? Or who hath loosed the bonds of the swift ass,  

-

  Whose home I have made the wilderness, And the salt land his dwelling-place?  

-

  He scorneth the tumult of the city, Neither heareth he the shoutings of the driver.  

-

  The range of the mountains is his pasture, And he searcheth after every green thing.  

-

  Will the wild-ox be content to serve thee? Or will he abide by thy crib?  

-

  Canst thou bind the wild-ox with his band in the furrow? Or will he harrow the valleys after thee?  

-

  Wilt thou trust him, because his strength is great? Or wilt thou leave to him thy labor?  

-

  Wilt thou confide in him, that he will bring home thy seed, And gather [the grain] of thy threshing-floor?  

-

  The wings of the ostrich wave proudly; [But] are they the pinions and plumage of love?  

-

  For she leaveth her eggs on the earth, And warmeth them in the dust,  

-

  And forgetteth that the foot may crush them, Or that the wild beast may trample them.  

-

  She dealeth hardly with her young ones, as if they were not hers: Though her labor be in vain, [she is] without fear;  

-

  Because God hath deprived her of wisdom, Neither hath he imparted to her understanding.  

-

  What time she lifteth up herself on high, She scorneth the horse and his rider.  

-

  Hast thou given the horse [his] might? Hast thou clothed his neck with the quivering mane?  

-

  Hast thou made him to leap as a locust? The glory of his snorting is terrible.  

-

  He paweth in the valley, and rejoiceth in his strength: He goeth out to meet the armed men.  

-

  He mocketh at fear, and is not dismayed; Neither turneth he back from the sword.  

-

  The quiver rattleth against him, The flashing spear and the javelin.  

-

  He swalloweth the ground with fierceness and rage; Neither believeth he that it is the voice of the trumpet.  

-

  As oft as the trumpet [soundeth] he saith, Aha! And he smelleth the battle afar off, The thunder of the captains, and the shouting.  

-

  Is it by thy wisdom that the hawk soareth, (And) stretcheth her wings toward the south?  

-

  Is it at thy command that the eagle mounteth up, And maketh her nest on high?  

-

  On the cliff she dwelleth, and maketh her home, Upon the point of the cliff, and the stronghold.  

-

  From thence she spieth out the prey; Her eyes behold it afar off.  

-

  Her young ones also suck up blood: And where the slain are, there is she.  

-